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Hague warns of ‘divisive’ second Brexit referendum

GB News: 01/11/2017 - 11:03

Former Foreign Secretary William Hague has warned that holding another Brexit referendum would be ‘divisive’ and encourage ‘hate-filled’ campaigns.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Hague, who voted remain in 2016, said that a second vote would be ‘the most divisive event in this country since the arguments over Irish home rule at least’.

He said: “Imagine going back to the people of this country and saying 'you got this wrong in the referendum, you may have turned out in record numbers and most of the country voted to leave but nevertheless we think you got it wrong and we are going to run it again'. Imagine the hate-filled campaign that would divide this country. I do not think that is a price worth paying."

Meanwhile, David Davis, the Brexit Secretary, has told the Cabinet that preparations to leave the EU will lead the headcount in Whitehall to balloon by at least 8,000 workers by the end of next year.

He admitted that 3,000 new posts had already been created, including 300 additional lawyers, with HM Revenue and Customs confirming an additional 3,000-5,000 new workers by the end of 2018.